Discussing military history, foreign affairs and trade

The Chair of the Rottnest Island Authority, Mr Hamish Beck, requested a visit to Government House to discuss military history projects currently being undertaken on Rottnest Island.

The Rottnest Island Authority became part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions on 1 July 2018. Their purpose is to manage Rottnest Island by protecting local fauna and flora, providing and operating recreational and holiday facilities and maintaining and protecting the natural environment and the man-made resources of the Island.

During World War I the Department of Defence commandeered the Island to intern 841 Austrian and German people living in Perth. It also housed 148 Prisoners of War. While it was returned to a holiday island in 1915, it was again commandeered when tensions across the globe increased prior to WWII. In 1933 the government developed a three-year Defence Development Program, identifying Rottnest Island as a critical point of defence – its positioning allowing it to be the perfect place to engage hostile ships well before they could approach the range of Fremantle Port. And so, in 1936, land was purchased for the installation of guns, Army institutional buildings, a small hospital, searchlight emplacements and communications and observation structures. In June 1940 the Island was declared a prohibited area and all recreational activity ended. The island again returned to its holiday state in June 1945.

Current projects on the Island, today presented to the Governor by Mr Beck, aim to showcase this history and attract visitors.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Today Governor Beazley sat down with the Director of the WA office of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sally Dawkins. Ms Dawkins is a career diplomat who has had postings to Africa and Europe and the UN.

The two had a lively discussion about current events and the important work DFAT does in advancing Australia’s and Western Australia’s interests overseas. Governor Beazley recommended that when international visitors come to our State that they should extend beyond Perth to learn about WA’s critical minerals sector and other critically important regional hubs to get the right impression of the State’s size and immense capability.

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